SURROUND YOURSELF IN FALL SPLENDOR WITH A GETAWAY TO AN OHIO STATE PARK RESORT LODGE OR COTTAGE

COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio's annual Fall Color season is an ideal time for a weekend or week-long getaway to a state park resort lodge or cozy woodland cottage, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Availabilities remain throughout September and October at the eight parks featuring resort lodges and the 15 parks with fully equipped cottages. Reservations are available by calling 1-800-AT-A-PARK for all parks except Deer Creek State Park. Deer Creek's toll-free reservation number is 1-877-678-3337.

Ohio State Park lodges and cottages are strategically located in some of the most pristine and rustic natural settings in the state. Recreational opportunities abound, including wildlife watching, hiking, bicycling, boating, golfing or gathering around a crackling fireplace for an evening of board games.

Fully furnished and heated family cottages are a feature of Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Cowan Lake State Park in Clinton County, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County, Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County, Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County, Buck Creek State Park in Clark County, Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County, Punderson State Park in Geauga County, Mohican State Park in Ashland County, Dillon State Park in Muskingum County, Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Pike Lake State Park in Pike County, Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County and Shawnee State Park in Scioto County.

Each two-bedroom family cottage sleeps six and has a screened porch; bath with shower; living room with convertible sofa and color television; and kitchen with range, microwave and refrigerator/freezer. All linens, dishes and kitchen utensils are provided. Many also offer gas-log fireplaces and cable or satellite television, and a few feature hot tubs.

Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County features newly refurbished "forest" and "iron furnace" cottages with wood-burning stone fireplaces. Forest cottages sleep four to six people. Iron furnace cottages have two bedrooms and sleep four. Each is fully furnished and equipped with kitchen utensils, dishes and linens.

The standard cottages at Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County and Pike Lake State Park in Pike County are a bit more rustic with living-dining and sleeping areas separated by a divider or curtain. All offer color televisions, kitchen with range and refrigerator and private bath with shower. Like the family cottages, standard cottages come with all dishes, utensils and linens provided.

Resort lodges with full amenities await visitors at Hueston Woods State Park, Shawnee State Park, Burr Oak State Park, Deer Creek State Park, Salt Fork State Park, Mohican State Park, Maumee Bay State Park and Punderson State Park.

Ohio State Park resort lodges are year-round getaway destinations for couples, friends and families. All feature full-service dining rooms, lounges, game rooms, gift shops and indoor pools with saunas and hot tubs. Many also offer tennis, shuffleboard and volleyball courts. Salt Fork, Shawnee, Punderson, Maumee Bay, Deer Creek and Hueston Woods are also home to 18-hole golf courses and complete pro shops.

Check the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com for Fall Color updates and special offers and packages in Ohio State Parks cottages and resorts.